In Rememberance of Bravery and Glimmers Hope

Monday was my usual clinic day at CONASPEH. I consulted a hallway full of patients, struggled with heart-heavy news and celebrated a glimmer of hope for a patient burdened with an ugly diagnosis.

The morning's mood darkened when we all received word that one of the teachers at the CONASPEH school had died. I was taken aback by the news. I had shared a special relationship with her that began during my first months at CONASPEH. I first met her after she was wounded by the hands of her husband. Her burns had been extensive, but healed after many clinic visits and her own gentle care. Through persistent counseling by Francois, Miss Fanor and I, she moved herself and her newborn daughter away from the threats and injuries of domestic violence and into the safe home of extended family.

I watched her confidence and joy build after that first encounter, and she frequently visited me in the clinic long after her wounds healed. She gave Solomon his first baby gift--a pair of brown leather shoes that spruced-up his church outfits with style. She often shared pictures of her daughter with me and we kept each other updated on what new things our babies were doing.

When I heard the news of this young mother's death, my anger flared suspecting a fatal act of domestic violence. But instead I was informed of a brain tumor she had had all along, that caused violent seizures that had previously been well controlled. She never had shared that diagnosis with me, maybe because she knew there was nothing to be done. Or maybe she had decided to simply focus on life, the life she had left. In recent months, her symptoms had worsened. Ultimately she succumbed. Now her baby girl has to tackle life without her mother.

During the course of the morning, I also had a follow-up visit from an 18 year old girl struggling with a disfiguring mass in her mouth. She was initially seen and diagnosed with a rare form of cancer by the Partner's In Health hospital in the central plateau, but came to our clinic last week looking for hope and possible referral for the difficult treatment required. She had already passed by the general hospital in Port-au-Prince which could offer her no options, citing lack of radiation equipment as reason for their inability to help.

But I was able to deliver a little hope today, thanks to help from a network of colleagues. Through connections made with CRUDEM and the hospital they run in Milot, Haiti, I found an volunteer American oncologist who agreed to see this patient during an upcoming visit to Haiti and who potentially may be able to provide a radical operation to remove the tumor. It is a long shot, but I was glad to share hope in whatever form it comes. She is young woman, strong and full of faith. I hope that is enough to carry her through the many challenges she will face in the upcoming months.

Suffering and struggle so often challenge life for many people living in Haiti. In honor of their strength and perserverience, we must celebrate the moments of obstacles overcome and glimmers of hope found. For my friend departed, I remember her formidable strength as she stood up to her abuser, realizing that it is not ok to suffer wounds by the hands of your spouse. I pray that her courage has been planted and grows in the spirit of her daughter.

For my patient, I celebrate a glimmer of hope. Despite the odds against her, we haven't yet hit a dead end. Thanks to volunteers at work and the networking of those with a passion for the people of Haiti, we have found an avenue to explore that may mean life doesn't have to end after only 18 years for this one young woman.

So again, I ask for your prayers. Send up your thoughts for a friend gone and the family that lies in wake of her death, prayers for a young life burdened by a very difficult and painful illness and for hope that treatment may offer her a chance at life again.